The Albus

The Albus, an eight-story boutique hotel located in the heart of Amsterdam, sits on a busy street that’s frequented by tourists and crowds -- especially at night. Two double-glass doors lead into a contemporary lobby with beige marble floors and a large, gold light fixture in the shape of a bowl.

Fresh orchids adorn the check-in desk, and the purple color of the flower is found throughout the lobby, Senses restaurant, and each of the rooms. Dutch designer Maureen Mak van Waay created a stylish but welcoming vibe in each of the public areas of the hotel, including the lobby bar, with modern furniture, artwork, and splashes of color.

The hotel caters to both families and couples, and prices are similar to other upscale hotels in the area. The staff takes great care to meet the needs of guests.

Despite this hotel's Canal Ring location, it's not actually right on a canal -- but it's only a block or so from Singel, Amsterdam's innermost canal -- and immediately near the Flower Market. The Albus is also within a two- to 10-minute walk of the main squares, including Damsquare, Leidsesquare, Rembrandsquare, and Muntsquare. There’s a tram stop a block from the hotel, which connects to nearly all the tourist attractions in the city, including the Anne Frank House, Van Gogh Museum, and the Red Light District. The hotel staff can arrange bike and boat rentals for guests.

Rooms at The Albus are decorated in a crisp, modern style with white Egyptian-cotton bedding, purple throw pillows, sleek, modern furniture, white walls, and wood floors. Rooms range from a (tiny) 195 square feet to 345 square feet, and the offerings include one-bedroom suites and larger suites with lounges. Amenities in each room include plush bathrobes and Nespresso coffemakers. Bathrooms were fully renovated in early 2017 and have a futuristic look, with brand new fixtures, sinks, and walk-in rain showers. Some rooms also have standalone soaking tubs set against chic mosaic panels. Rooms situated near the street can get noisy, so the staff leaves earplugs. Quieter rooms are located near the back of the hotel. Be aware that it can get hot and stuffy during the summer months, and none of the rooms have air-conditioning.

The hotel’s standout feature is the restaurant Senses, which specializes in slow-food cooking using local, organic ingredients. It offers a seven-course tasting menu for dinner and an expansive wine list. The restaurant's breakfast includes fruit, breads, boiled eggs, bacon, and cereals, but many guests complain that it's expensive for what it is. There is no parking, pool, hot tub, spa, or gym on-site. There’s a computer that guests can use near the lobby, a bar lounge, a coffee corner, and free Wi-Fi throughout the property.